GREEN BAY, Wis. (GreenBayPhoenix.com) - The Green Bay (9-0) women's basketball team had 21 assists on 23 field goals while its defense led to a 74-40 win over Southeast Missouri (4-6, 1-1 Ohio Valley) Friday night at the Kress Events Center.

"I felt our defense was consistent throughout the game, we played with a lot of energy and discipline," said head coach Matt Bollant.

Southeast Missouri tried to slow down the tempo of the game by using up the shot clock but the Phoenix was patient and still managed to force 15 turnovers in the first half. "We adjusted by applying pressure and trying to speed them up," Bollant said.

Green Bay's pressure helped it finish the first half on a 16-7 run, building its lead to as many as 17 with 2:26 to play. Julie Wojta (Mishicot, Wis.) had five steals and 10 points at the break while Celeste Hoewisch (Hortonville, Wis.) led all players with five rebounds throughout the first 20 minutes.

After shooting 37 percent in the first half, the Phoenix opened the second half with a 19-2 run while improving to 46-percent shooting throughout the final 20 minutes of play.

"When we deny and we're more intense on defense, our all-around game level goes up," said Wojta who finished with 12 points while tying a Kress Center record with seven steals.

Hoewisch led all players with 16 points going 4-4 from the free-throw line and 2-2 from beyond the arc. Kayla Tetschlag (Sheboygan, Wis.) chipped in 11 points while leading the Phoenix with a game-high six rebounds.

Green Bay finished the contest shooting 41 percent from the field and 77 percent from the charity stripe. The national leaders in turnover margin, the Phoenix forced SEMO to turn the ball over 25 times while scoring 26 points off the Redhawks' miscues.

Though the nationally-ranked Phoenix improves to 9-0, perhaps the moment most fans and Green Bay players will remember from the game happened with 2:58 remaining when Heather Golden (De Pere, Wis.) checked into the game for the first time this season. Golden had been recovering from an off-season knee injury suffered in the spring before practicing a few minutes throughout the past week.

"I love the girl, she's awesome and I was so happy for her because I know what a struggle it's been with the disappointing knee injuries," said Hoewisch. "It was really good to have her back out there," added Wojta.

Though Golden's rehab is still a work in progress, she did manage an assist on the final bucket of the game.

The Phoenix will head to Milwaukee Sunday, Dec. 12 to battle Marquette (7-2, 0-1 Big East) at 2 p.m. at the Al McGuire Center. Green Bay will tip off a four-game homestand Saturday, Dec. 18 as it hosts Evansville (5-3) at 2 p.m. at the Kress Events Center.

Game Notes

• Green Bay goes to 9-0 on the season, extending its regular-season winning streak to 17 games. The streak is tied for the fourth longest in program history.
• Coming into the game, Green Bay ranked first in the nation in turnover margin, forcing 11.4 more turnovers per contest than its opponents. Friday was no different, with Green Bay posting a +15 turnover margin (10-25). The Phoenix outscored the Redhawks 26-4 in points off turnovers.
• Green Bay has now won 26 straight regular-season games on its home court, the second longest streak in program history (27).
• After going 4-4 from the free-throw line, Hoewisch is two shy of fourth place on the all-time record list for attempts and 10 makes shy for third all-time.
• The Phoenix allowed Southeast Missouri just two free throws, setting a new Kress Center record.
• Coming into the game, Green Bay was ranked 10th in the nation in assists per game (19.4). They continued this trend by dishing 21 assists throughout the game. Green Bay also was ranked 13^th in the nation in steals per game (13.7). The Phoenix posted 17 steals in the game, 11 coming in the first half. Wojta led Green Bay with seven, one short of her career high while tying the Kress Center record.
• Wojta also led the Phoenix in scoring during the first half with 10 points, her seventh double-figure scoring game of the season and 30th of her career. Green Bay was held to 37-percent shooting in the first half.
• Opponents have averaged 41 points in the last four games against Green Bay while the Phoenix has averaged 71.25 points.